No Excess Baggage

 

An age-old debate has been whether to call the legendary action flick "Die Hard" a Christmas movie.  Indeed, it does occur on Christmas Eve and has the feel of a family reunion...after, of course, a group of mercenaries and terrorists are defeated.

We might now have the sequel to this discussion with the recent unveiling of "Carry On" from Netflix.  This one has all the Die Hard feels and it is set on...wait for it...Christmas Eve at LAX.   Like Die Hard, this is an enjoyable action romp that requires a big tub of buttered popcorn and/or a box of Raisinets.  

"Carry On" starts quickly and presents the main dilemma very easily.  Before his Christmas Eve work shift, young TSA agent Ethan (played at Taron Egerton) talks with his pregnant girlfriend about the fact that he failed his police academy training.   She then goes off to her airport job and he to his.  Almost immediately, Ethan finds an earbud that connects him to the dastardly Alan Rickman of this piece played eerily by Jason Bateman.   Ethan is to let a particular suitcase get past security without examination.   If he doesn't do it, his girlfriend will be killed.

And that's it.  This simple plot sets us off on a two-hour roller coaster ride that has all the twists and turns of the original "Die Hard."   The suitcase, of course, contains a nerve agent that will kill everybody that comes in contact with it.   And, like John McClain, it is up to only Ethan to save the day.

"Carry On" is a taut action drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat repeatedly.   And you might also swear off traveling on the holidays ever again.

I heartily recommend "Carry On"...the newest movie for the holiday season.

LEN'S RATING:  Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Beef tenderloin.